Bob and Gail Stegmier showing off their Squire Newpaper to all.

Gail and Bob Stegmier visited the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida. Bob attended an Izaak Walton League directors meeting in Fort Myers and decided to extend their Florida stay on Sanibel Island to visit the beach, swim in 84 degree pool water and for time to visit the wildlife refuge. They saw many birds, from the Roseate Spoonbill to the little Sanderlings. Oh yes, an alligator or three.

Gail and Bob’s were accompanied by their daughter and her husband Kathy and Jack Crother. They even brought some sunshine home in a jar as was requested by many.

Rockford Squire editor Beth Altena snapped a picture of this crazy duck at a neighborhood park. The ducks in the pond were mallards and domestic ducks and mixes of the two. This one, however, stood apart (and a bit above with those long legs). Could any of our readers guess what the lineage of this strange bird might be. Email to squiremail@aol.com. We also welcome any interesting wildlife picture readers might like to share.

The Rotary Club of Rockford presents the seventeenth annual Sweetheart Splash on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm.  This winter fun event takes place at the Rockford dam is a community favorite.  Area “jumpers” brave the icy Rogue River with participants performing skits and dance routines prior to going in the water for a captive and lively crowd and a panel of judges. Splash lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes music, surprises and lots of laughs.

This year, our panel of esteemed judges includes local business leaders and politicians and WZZM Meteorologist, George Lesson.  We are hopeful that George will order up a warm break in the weather for us!  Coveted, Sweetheart Splash Trophies are presented for category winners in Singles, Couples, and Groups.

Entrants must be 15 years of age and pre-register by 10 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012.

Entrants between the ages of 15 to 18 must have a parent/guardian present at time of registration. Registration forms are available at Rockford Community Federal Community Credit Union located at 3 N. Monroe – Rockford.

Registration fee is $5 per person and group size is limited to ten. T-shirts are available for $5.

This fundraising event benefits North Kent Community Services.  “This year, Splash spectators and the community are asked to donate cash, non-perishable food items, new or gently used blankets and coats for clients of North Kent Community Services.  The center’s need for these items exceeds the available supply, leaving our communities most vulnerable in the cold,” says Connie Taylor, Sweetheart Splash Co-Organizer and NKCS Board member.  Coats and blankets are currently being collected for the Splash event at NKCS and RCFCU.

The Rotary Club of Rockford is a community and world service organization made up of local business people.  Rotary has weekly lunch and breakfast meetings.  For more information visit them at: www.rockfordmirotary.org.

Ice sculptor extraordinaire Derek Maxfield of Ice Sculptures, Ltd. puts the finishing touches on a giant 8 ft. polar bear Sunday afternoon at Rockford’s Ice Fest 2012. Photo by CLIFF HILL

Photos by TOM SCOTT

The weather cooperated just in time for Rockford’s third annual Ice Festival. A wet and rainy week turned snowy with some sun for Saturday and Sunday’s event. Visitors had a great time.

Aunt Candy’s Toy Company recently had a drawing to win two American Girl Dolls, Cecil and Marie Grace. In September, five-year-old Alexi Vanzweden came in with her mom, Kelli, and entered the drawing. She hoped to win the doll for her birthday on October 6, but that date came and went. On December 23, Aunt Candy called Alexi’s home to tell her she had won. Alexi’s dad answered the phone and was skeptical. Kelli called back and was so excited! She explained that Alexi has twin baby sisters, and an American Girl Doll was not possible last year just as it was not possible this year. But... Alexi won the drawing at Aunt Candy’s Toy Company, and not only did she win one doll, but she won two! Congratulations, Alexi!

Admission is $5 for both days, including lunch at the senior center, with proceeds to benefit Northview Senior programs. This year the senior center hopes to purchase a van or bus for senior outings. Also on the tour are seven private homes which have been professionally decorated for the holiday season.

Wilson School has a shed roof and a full-façade front entry porch. It was updated in the 1930s as part of a WPA project, which makes it unique for its history and as an example of the 1930s WPA construction. A furnace and restrooms were added to the building.

It was originally constructed in 1899 by A. McComb of Grattan. The school’s floor plan followed the basic guidelines. Classes began in the structure on January 15, 1900. Wislon School served 25 to 30 students in grades Kindergarten through eighth grades from the rural community of Childsdale in Plainfield Township. In 1962 it was closed and students were sent to consolidated schools in the Rockford District. The Wilson School building currently contains antique school desks, a teacher desk and chair, a green chalkboard with cork border across the top and many other antiques of the area.

On October 17, 1996 Wilson School was designated Michigan Historica Site No. L2001 and was listed on the state register. The school is privately owned by Leona Kroes Benson, who generously, with the help of her husband Leroy Benson, open the building for special community events. Visitors to the open house will also be able to see a Reed organ, a classic typewriter, a spinning wheel, an uupright floor model Victrola and many more interesting historic pieces.

Directions and addresses are to the other locations if residents want to visit them in order of one through eight.

4655 Catamount Trail, Ada, decorated by Kennedy’s Flowers and Gifts: .09 miles east of E. Beltline and Knapp, south/east on Knapp Court, go to the end of the street and through the gate, it is the first house on the left.

3779 Four Mile Road, NE, Grand Rapids, decorated by Sage and Roses: Return to the East Beltline, turn right (north), go two miles, turn right on Four Mile Road, go .6 miles, turn left on Lily Lane to 3779.

4267 Four Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids, decorated by Sue Oom: Return to Four Mile Road, turn left, go .6 miles, turn left on Rolling Oak Private Drive, go .5 mile north to 4267.

3771 Hordyk NE, Grand Rapids, decorated by Katie Sosnowksi: Return to Four Mile Road and turn right on East Beltline, go right on Five Mile Road for .8 miles, then turn left on Frost (turns into Hordyk), go .3 miles to house.

5255 Grand River Drive, Grand Rapids, Saturday only, lunch, restrooms, crafts, Maggie’s Attic, cookie dash: Continue west on Hordyk (turns into Webber) right on the East Beltline, .1 mile then left on Grand River Drive to the Plainfield Senior Center.

4900 Winston Hill NE, Grand Rapids, decorated by Karen’s Candy & Gifts: Left onto Grand River Drive, right on Breckenridge, left on Plainfield, go .2 miles and turn left onto Churchill Estates, onto Winston Hill Drive, Private.

5946 Linkside Lane, Belmont, decorated by Rockford Flower Shop: Right onto Plainfield where it merges and becomes Northland Drive, stay left, right on Canonsburg Road .5 miles, left on Brewer, right on Tom Morris Drive, left on Linkside Lane.

4122 Boulder Meadow NE, Belmont, decorated by Jay’s Fresh Flower Market: Right on Brewer, right on Seven Mile, go .2 miles, left on Boulder Meadow.

A printable map is available at tistheseasongr.com.

More than 50 children showed their incredible talent for The Rockford Squire newspaper’s coloring contest for Harvest Fest. The judges had a difficult time selecting the winners, because everyone did such a great job. However, after much discussion, the following claimed the prizes for the contest:

• ages 3-5: first place, Liliana Dunbar, 5; second place, Caitlin Brechting, 3

• ages 6-8: first place, Hayley Nowak, 8; second place, Isabelle Rogers, 7

• ages 9-12: first place, Elise Jendritz, 10; second place, Drew Modzeleski, 10.

A special thanks goes to Aunt Candy’s Toy Company, D&W Fresh Market, and Polly’s Passions for donating prizes for the winners.

ROTARY VOLUNTEERS—Rotary is a family-friendly club, and spouses and family are welcome to help during the many events during the year. Here Rotarian Rick Koryto and his daughter Hannah, 11, are pictured with the club’s German exchange student Anni Hagenah, 16. Anni is from Wolfsburg, Germany, and is enjoying her exchange. Outgoing student, Jordan ? has been writing a blog about her experiences in Germany. Hosting and sending an exchange student is just one of the many relationship-building projects in which the Rotary Club participates.